Southwest upper level flow was in place over west Texas and southeast New Mexico in advance of a broad upper level trough located over the western United states. Meanwhile, an upper level ridge of high pressure was centered across Louisiana. The primary focusing mechanism for thunderstorm initiation over the area was the dryline. The atmosphere became increasingly unstable east of this boundary as temperatures warmed and lapse rates steepened. The combination of instability along with a shallow layer of dry air near the surface set the stage for a primarily damaging wind threat.